Production of thin metal sheets or foils



T. A. EDISON.

PRODUCTION QF THIN METAL SHEETS 0R FOILS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.26,1920.

Patented Aug. 8, T922.

in the tank from their upper ends and terminating a considerable distance from the bottom of the tank. The portion of the strip 2 in the plating bath is in the form of a loop, the strip passing over a roller 4 above the cell, then down between one pair of adjacent anodes 3 and up between the other pair of adjacent anodes, and then over another roller 4 above the cell. A weight in the form of a roller 5" is supported in the plating bath beneath the intermediate anode 3 on the loop of the electrode 2. Pins provided on the ends of the roller 5 engage in vertical slots.,

6 respectively provided in two parallel plates 7 which are suitably suspended in the plating bath from the top of the contain-er 1, as by means of bars 8, closely ad-y jacent the opposite edges of the strip cathode 2. The plates 7 are preferably formed of hard rubber or other substance which will not be affected by the action .of the plating cell, and each of these plates is preferably provided with a central vertically extending opening 0 to facilitate the circulation of the electrolyte. The level of the electrolyte -or plating bath is represented by reference character 9.

, The strip 2 is formed of a suitable metal, preferably copper or nickel where the -Inetal to be plated thereon is nickel, and is adapted to be continuously driven in an endless path in the direction of theA arrow by suitable means, su"ch as a roller 10, operated by any suitable mot/ive means (not shown). From the driving roller 10 the path of movement vof the endl'e s strip 2 is as follows: Over the idler/.pnl eys 11 and 12, the pulley 13,

through an electrolytic cleaning cell A, a'

washing device C, a tank or container B containing a selenium bath, through awashing device Cf, 'over one of the rollers 4. throu h the bath of the electroplating cell and tien over the other roller 4, through a washing device C2, and then over an idler pulley 14 back to the driving roller 10. The electrolytic cleaning cell A comprises three spaced anodes 15suitably supported in the electrolyte 16 from the top of the cell container, and a portion of the strip 2 as vthe cathode. The. portion of the strip 2 immersed in the bath of the cleaning cell A is in thelform of a loop, the'stri extending downwardly from the roller 13 etween two adjacent anodes 15 and then up between the two remaining anodes. A weight in `the form of a roller 17 is supported n this loop in the cell A beneath the intermediate anode 15. Between the cell A and the Washing device C the strip 2 passes over a roller 18 suitably supported vabove the cell A. .The rollers 13 and 18 are formed of metal, preferably nickel, While the roller 17 is pref-I erably formed of hard rubber or other material which will not be affected by the action of the cell A. Currentis supplied to the c'ellA by means of condnctors 19 and' 20 .leading from a suitable source of current ;scribed 1n my ending application Serial No. 308,379, filed uly 3, 1919 and entitled Cleanyingof metallic surfaces, the anodes'l pref. erably being formed of graphite, and the electrolyte 16 preferably consisting of a sulphate or potassium sulphate rendered slightly alkaline by the addition of a suiicient amount of caustic potash or caustic soda. Accordingly, as the strip 2 passes through the cell A, such strip will be effectively and thoroughly cleaned electrolytically. From the roller 18l the strip passes through lthe cleaning device C, which thoroughly removes all electrolyte of the cleaning cell A which may be adhering thereto. From the washing device C the strip 2 passes over a roller 21, then in the form of a loop through the bath 22 -in the container B and over the' roller' 23, the rollers 21 and 23 being suitably supported above the container B. A weight in the form of a roller 24 is supported on thel loop in the bath 22. ,Rollers 21, 23 and 24 are formed of suitable non-conducting material, preferably hard rubber. Where the strip 2 is ,of cop er or nickel, the bath 22 in the container preferably consists of a solution of selenious acid, and accordingly, in the passage of the strip `through this bath, a very thin coating or film of selenide will be formed on the strip, as described in my pending application Serial No; 305,821, filed June 21, 1919 and entitled Electroplating. From the roller 23 the strip 2 passes through the Washing ldevice C which thoroughly removes any of the solution of selenious' nearly saturated solution of'either sodium acid ,which may adhere -thereto, and then through the bath ofthe electropl ating cell as hereinbefore described. When it is desired to produce thin sheets or foils of nickel, for which the present invention has been especially designed, the anodes 3 of the plating cell are formed of nickel,- and the plating 'bath or electrolyte/of the electroplating cell is preferably of the character described in my pending application Serial No. 324,291, filed September 18, 1919 and entitled Production of nickel, and comprises a suitable nickelplating solution such as a nearly'sat- `urated vsolution of nickel sulphate and a suitable amount of a salt of a fatty acid, such as acetate of nickel'or an alkaline acetate, preferably acetate of magnesia. When such a plating bath is employed. the nickel plated on the strip 2 will be. substantially pure and malleable, of fine and uniform texkeit lbeen adjusted, }`h0wever, the nickel sheets or foils S, S1 produced by continuously stripf ping the plated nickel from the strip 2 will be Ve uniform inthickness and the length l of suc sheets or foils will be dependent only onthe time during which the 'apparatus is continuously maintained in operation.

While l have specificall described the preferred method and one orm of apparatus for carrying out such. method in accordance with my lnvention, it is to be understood that both the method and apparatus are sub'ect to various changes and modiications wit out departure 'from the spirit of the in vention and the scope olv the appended claims. l l v Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and' desire to secure by Letters Patent of thelUnited States is as follows 1. rlhe method which consists in moving an elongated strip comprising an electrode 4of an electrolytic cell through and then out of the bathAof the cell", and stripping from both sides of said strip at a point in the'pathof movement thereofl beyond said bath, the metal deposited thereonin the bath, substantially as described. j

2. The method whih consists in contin .uously moving an elongated strip compristially as described.

ing an electrode of an electrol tic cell through and then out of the bath o the cell, and continuously stripping from both sides. of said strip at a point in the path of move- Ament thereof beyond said 'bath the metal deposited v thereon in the bath, substan-v 'of producingmetal foils'or sheets of any desiredfle" th which consists inproviding an .elon ate strip comprising an electrode of "an" e ectrolytic cell, capable of plating such metal with a'coating of al material containing selenium moving saidl then outfof 3. The method i 'the ath of the cell, an stripping from both sides of -said strip at a point. inthe path'- of movement thereof` be ond said-hath, the metal deposited thereon inthe bath,vsubetan+ v 4. The method whichfconsistsfih moving,r

. an Aelongated',strip comprisingan electrode' at in' which a' coating of amatoriof 'auf e ectroplatmgjce trolyticf cleaning bath, than `-throu The natali, which"4 consists' ixi-pmoving bath which-,a coating o the ,plati l ce "electrode et e' Wint plating-cel-l, "the .'inetalgde electrodeof an' Aelect'r'c`pla.t1iigce anfeiectrplytiegcaaning betatnsmhrtegh Valoath-inrthic'li a'coatingofga--materialfcon- .l

taining selenium is applied thereto, and

maar

trede of an electro-plating cell through an electrolytic cleaning bath, then througha bath in which acoatin 'of a .material com taining selenium is a p led to said electrode,

and then through an out of the bath of `the electro-plating cell, washing the said electrode between the selenium bath and the bath of the lating cell, and strip ing from said electro e ata. point beyon of the plating cell, the' metal deposited thereon- 1n said4 cell, substantially as described.

the bath.

6. The method which consists in moving l.

an elongated member comprisin an electrode of an electro-plating cell t rough an electrolytic cleaning bath, thenv through a bath in which a coating of a material con? tainin selenium is applied thereto, and

then t rough and out of lthe. bath of the electro-plating cell, washingfthe said electrode between the plating .bath and 'the selenium bath, and strippin from said electrode at a pointbeyond t e bath oi the' plating cellA the metal deposited' thereon `in said cell,- substantiall as described.

an elon ated member, com rising an yelet- 7.-' The method which consists in moving trode o an electrolytic cel and hawing la or sheets of an desired length, which con-A' siste` in provi ing' an elongated `member, p

comprising an electrode 'of an electrolytic cell and havinga. 'plurality of plating surfaces, with -a-coating of a material containing selenium, moving said electrodein a path Athrough'and then ,ont of the bath ol .the cell, and stripping from the plating surfaces of said electrode at a point inthe the metal depositedl thereon in the hath, substantially as described.-

9. v"The: method' `,hch consists in moving an-eln ated member, comprisin an elecigen electrofplatingcell, trough an electrolytic cleaning bath" then through a in selenium 'is' applied to -the electrode, an then ,throighandoutof the bath oitand stri ping. from said said 'cell 'substantiall 'iasfdesei'ihed 10. g'rhe method ahi-,consists in 'mov-f a metal contain-A x.

isty

ing! an' elongated,member, :comprising an 1; through? 1mi path of movement thereof beyond said bath I scribed.

' bath in which a coatin then through and out of the bath bf kthe electroplating cell, Washing said electrode be,- tvveen lthe successive baths, and stripping from said electrode at a'V point beyond the bath of the plating cell the metal deposited thereonin said" cell, substantially as de-J` 11. rlhe method an elongated member, comprisin which consists in moving an elec-- trode of an electro-plating cell, t rough an electrolytic cleaning bath, then through a of a material containing selenium is applled thereto, and then throughand out of the bath of the electroplating cell, stripping from said --electrode at a oint beyond the bath ot the latino' cell t e metal deposited thereon 1n sai cell, and Washing -said electrode between the successive baths and also betweenthe plating cell and the point at which the metal deposited thereon is stripped therefrom,sub stantially as described. i

12. ln apparatus `for producing etal sheets or foils ot an desired length, an electrolytic cell capa le ot plating such A metal and comprising an elongated Velecl sheets or trode partially immersed in the bath ot said' cell and havin la plurality ot plating surfaces, means o movin said` electrode so that different portions t ereotf will successively leave said\bath, and means tor strip# ping from the plating surfaces of said electrode at a point-Without said bath 'the metal deposited thereon in the bath, substantially as described.

13. ln a paratus for producing metal oils o'r" an desired length, an electrolytic cell ca pa le ot plating such vmetal and c n1pris1ng an electrode in the form of-a long flat strip partially immersed in the bath ot said cell, means for moving said strip electrode so that dill'erent portions thereof will successively, leave said Obath, and means for' stripping from both sides of said strip electrode at a point Without said bath the metal deposited thereon in the bath, substantially as described.

14. ln apparatus for producing metal i sheets or folls of any desired length, an elec'- trolytic cellcapable of plating such metal and 'comprisi an electrode in the form of a long flat end ess strip partiall immersed in the bath of said cell, means or continu'- ously moving said strip electrode in an endless path so that diHerent portions thereof will successively leave said bath, and means for continuously stripping from each side of said electrode at a the metal deposited-t ereon in the bath, substantially as described.

15. ln apparatus for producing metal strips or foils of any desired length, an electrolytic cell capable of plating such metal and com rising an electrode in the form of a long Aat strip partially immersed in the maaien oint beyond said bath bath of 'said ce1-1, means tormoving said strip" yelectrode so that din'erentportions thereof Twilll succsively leave said bath, means for retardine1 the plating'ol metal on the edges i metal deposited thereon in the bath, substantially as described. i

16. lln apparatus sheets or foils of any desired length, an.` electrolytic cell capable of plating such metal and, comprising an electrode inthe form of a long strip only a portion of which is im mersedin the bath ot said cell, means for. moving said strip so that diderentportions forvv producing metalthereof snccessively leave said'bath, means.

for applying to said strip at a point in the path of movement thereof in advance ol the plating hath a coating out material contain-, ing selemum and means for stripping nfrom both sides ot said strip electrode at a point beyond said bath the nrt l deposited thereon in the bath, substa y as described.

17. lin apparatus 'to 'producing metal sheets or foils oi any'demred length, an electrolytic cell capable ot plating such metal and comprising an electrode in the orm of,

a long not strip partially immersed inthe l cell, means tor moving said strip electrode 'so that `ditterent portions,

will snccessrfely leave said hath,-

ineans for rfrom both sides ot said strip electrode at a point Without said hath the metal deposited thereon in the bath, and 5meansl for cutting the metal plated on said strip the edges of the latter and approxi- .mately at the point Where such metal isv4 stripped, whereby such metal is divided into two sheets or foils, substantially as described.

18. ln a paratus 4:tor producing metal sheets or foils ci any desired length, an elec-,

trolytic cell capable of plating 'such metall and comprising an electrode in the form ont a long strip only a portion otwhich is immersed in the bath of said cell, means for moving said strip so thatdiderent portions thereof successivelyA leave saidV bath, means for applying to said strip at a point in thepathof movement thereof in advance of the platin bath a coatin of material containing se enium, means or stripping from' both sidesof said strip electrode at a point beyond the bath the metal deposited thereon in the bath, and means'for Washing saidv strip between the platingbath and the point where said coatin is applied thereto', substantially as descri ed.

19.lln apparatus for producing lmetal sheets or foils of any desired length, an elecrea liti@ in said' bath beingv in the form of a loop, a weight in the form of a roller supported in said. bath by :sai-d loop,'means for moving said strip electrode so that different port1ons thereof' will successively leave said bath, and *means for stripping from said strip elec- "trode at a'point without said bath the metal depositedthereon in the bath, substantially 20. In apparatus I for producing metalsheets or foils of any desired length, an elec'- itrolytic cell capable of plating such metal and .comprising an electrode in the form of a long l'at strip partially immersed in the bath of said cell, means for moving said stripr electrode so that diderent .thereof` will;- successively leave said bath,

i .means for stripping from both sides of said strip'electrode `at a point without said bath means for washing said strip between said I is stripped f2s 'the metaldeposited thereon' in the bath, and

plating bath-'and the pointv Where the'metal therefrom, substantially las. de` scribed. i k

` 21, In apparatus for i producing metal sheets orfoils ofany.: desired length, a cleanin bath, a selenium bath, an electroplating cel -capableof patin such metaland comprising an elect de 1n the form of'a long' strip, 'said strip being partially immersed ,in-each lof .said'baths'and the bath ofsaid fcell, means for moving said strip in a given ip ath yand'se .that each portion of the same .amisucc'essively"through and outy of .aajthsc aning'batmtheseleniumbath and the 1. plating-bath, andmean's for stripping from yfsaid'fstri .electrode at a pointbeyond*y said the een,

portions apalhleoffplating lsuch metalLand com-y strip,saidstripfbeing partially immersed in means 'toifmoving said strip in a given path andiso thatpach portion ofthe vsame will ,"pasrs'v successivelyrthrogh and out ofA the rfcleaningtbaththe selenium bath andthe etween the successive baths, and meansfor ,f strippinlg'" from said strip electrode at a point i tei-.prisinganelectrodeinlthe vforni of a long. f. 'str1p`,-sa1d rstrip being partially immersed fbevond'said cell the metal deposited thereon .55.' 2 3 .1In f' apparatusl for produclng metal f f n 'sheetsorgtoils ofanydesired length, a clean- .y ingibath, .a selenium bath, any electroplating ce in. the cell, substantially as described.

capableof plating such-metal and com? in each of v said baths and the bath of said fcell, v the .portion .Y of the "strip, electrode in let ' .prising"ani-electrode inthe form of'a longl .eachi o? said baths andthe `bath of said cell,

" latinghath, means for washing said strip fthe cell, and then. stripping from the platsupported on said loops, means for moving..-

said strip in a given'path and so that each portion of the same Will pass successively through and out on the cleaning bath, the

selenium bath and the plating bath, and means for stripping from said. strip electrodeat a point 'beyondsaid cell the metal depositedthereon in the cell, substantially as described. i j

, 24; In apparatus` for producing metal sheets or foils of any desired length, a cleaning bath, a selenium bath,` an electrolytic cell capable of plating such met-al and kcomprisingan electrode in the Aform of a long end'- less strip, saidv strip being partially im' mersed in each 'of said baths and the bath of said cell, means for continuously moving said strip in an endless path so that eachv `portion of the same will pass .successively through and out of the cleaning bath, the

seleniuml bath and the plating bath, and means for stripping from both sides of said strip electrode'at a pointbeyond the .plat-y ingbath the metal deposited thereon in the latter, substantially as described.-

v25. ln apparatus for. producing'. metal sheets or foils of any desired length, an elecv,

trolytic cleaningceII, a selenium bath, an

electroplating lcell capable of plating such metal;v a lon flat endless strip partially immersed inte selenium bath and the bath of each of said cells, the strip comprising anelectrode of each of said cells, means for continuously moving said strip so that each portion of the same will pass successively through and then out ofthe bath of the cleaning cell, the selenium bath and the bath f the plating cell, and means for continuously stripping from both sides of said strip at a point beyond the plating cell the metal deposited thereon in the latter, substantially as described.

26. rlhe method of producingv metal foils'` .or sheets, which consists in treating an elonated member comprising an electrode of an e cetro-plating cell and havin a plurality of plating surfaces so as to iracilitate the stripping of electrolytically deposited metal from said surfaces, moving said. member in a paththrough and then. out. of the bath of ing surfaces ofsaid member the met-al dean 'elon ated 4member comprising an electrode o an electro-plating cell, then treatping, of electrolytically deposited metal therefrom, moving. said member through and out of the bath, of the plating cell, and

stripping from said member the metal deas described. 28. In apparatus for produing metal -ing said member so as to facilitate'the strip-l y y posited thereon in said bath, substantially." each.ba .tl 1'bemg 1n the )form of afloop, and weights 1n the formk o' rollers respectively isa Astrips or foils, an electro-plating cell comprising an electrode in the form of' an elongated member having a'pluralityT of' plating surfaces, means for moving said member so thatdifferent portions thereof will successively pass through and out of said bath, and .means for retarding theplatmg of metal on said'member between adjacent' plating surfaces thereof while the member is in said bath, substantially as described.

29, ln apparatus for producing metal sheets or foils, an electro-plating cell comprising an electrode in the form of an elongated member having a plurality of plating surfaces and only aportion of which is 1mmersedin the bath of said cell, means for moving said member so that different portions thereof successively leave said bath, means for treating theplating surfaces of said member at a pointin the path of movement of the latter in advance ofthe plating bath so as to facilitate the stripping therefrom of metal plated thereon, and means for stripping from the plating surfaces of said member the metal deposited thereon in said bath, substantially as described.

30. In apparatus for producing metal sheets or foils, an electro-plating cell comprising an electrode in the form of an elongated member having a plurallty of platmg surfaces7 means for moving said member so thatidierent portions thereof will successively passthrough and out of said bath,`

means for cutting the metal plated on said member between adjacent lating surfaces, and means for stripping rom the plating surfaces of said member themetal deposited thereon in said bath, substantially as described.

31. In apparatus of the character described, an electro-platin cell comprising an electrode in the form o a long strip parftiallv immersed in the bath of said cell and adapted to be moved so that differentportions vthereof Will successively leave said bath, the portion ofthe strip immersed in said bath being in the form 'of a loop, and

a Weight supported on said loop, vsubstan- August 1920. THS. EDISON.. 

